Laurel resident Barbara Seals was among about 150 senior citizens from across Jones County who came to the Cameron Center Tuesday to see if they qualify to receive monthly food boxes from Pearl River Valley Opportunity Inc.

“When you are on a fixed income, something like this is a blessing,” said Seals as she sat waiting for her number to be called. “With the way the economy is right now, it’s hard on a lot of people.

“I’m glad my daughter read about this program in the newspaper and told me to call,” added Seals. “It will help me a great deal if they follow through with it.”

Tensie Wheeler, manager of PRVO’s Jones County office, said the agency is partnering with the Mississippi Food Network to provide free food boxes to 250 elderly residents. Those at the Cameron Center placed their names on a list as possible recipients and were called in to be screened.

“We decided to have a mass screening today,” explained Wheeler. “This is the only one we will do, but people can still come into the office for screening or to apply for the program.

“We plan to continue to take applications until we get the 250 people we need. Even when we get the 250 qualified people, people can still apply. Circumstances may change for some people and they may no longer qualify.”

The food boxes will be provided to qualified senior citizens through the Mississippi Food Network’s Commodity Supplement Food Program (CSFP). The program, which will start in April, is administered under the direction of the Mississippi Department of Health.

Ramona Welborn, Seals’ daughter, said she is glad to see the agency provide this type of program for older Jones County residents. “A lot of times the elderly are overlooked or forgotten,” said Welborn. “It’s great to see someone do something to help lighten the burdens of the elderly.”

Mack and Vera Phillips of Ellisville agree.

“We old folks go through a lot,” said Vera Phillips. “When you get old and can’t get around as well as you once did, people forget about you.

“I think this is a good thing what (PRVO) is doing. These other states are helping their people and I think its good that they are helping the people of Mississippi. It’s good that they are trying to get old folks some help.”

Virtie Graves and Annie Jordan, who came from Soso for the screening, said they appreciate the help the agency is providing.

“I think this is the best thing that could have happened,” said Jordan. “Getting help with your food expenses is a great help, especially with this economy.”

Established in 1965, PRVO is a private non-profit organization that helps people rise above poverty through offering various services to enhance their education and training, increase the opportunity to work and obtain decent housing.

Services and programs offered by the agency include the American Recovery and Reimbursement Act (ARRA) program which provides education, training and employment to people to help them become self-efficient; Before and After School Care Programs; Community Service Block Grants; Emergency Food and Shelter; Extended Day Early Childhood Development; Families First Resource Centers; Head Start; Housing Construction, Development and Management; Housing Preservation Grants; Intensive Youth Supervision Programs; Intermediary Relending Programs; Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programs; Male Involvement; Minority Business Enterprise Loan Program; Prescription Assistance Program; Positive Youth Development; Rural Business Enterprise Loan Program; Section 5311 Transportation Program; Services for Senior Citizens, Summer Child Care Services; Summer Food Service Program; Weatherization; Youthbuild and much more.

In addition to Jones County, PRVO serves clients in Covington, Forrest, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, Marion and Pearl River counties. Wheeler noted that PRVO serves more than 2,500 Jones County residents per year.

Those interested in learning more about PRVO programs are want to apply for the food boxes may phone 601-428-3171 or 601-428-3173.